Dear Friends,
Only one month left now to the Spring ’26 Semester, but lots ahead!
4/14: HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ON THE PODIUM
Hillel is running a 3 hour Holocaust Remembrance vigil on the Podium: 12pm-3pm. Sign up for a slot (you can also be Reader #2 or #3 in any given time slot) to read aloud names of Holocaust Victims, or just stop by to connect, remember and show support.
4/14: NEW TORAH-TUES SERIES BEGINS
“From Strength to Strength” is the new and final 4-class Torah-Tuesday series for this Spring ’26 semester, and this week’s class is titled “The Audacity of Hope: Holocaust Survivor Resilience”. 6pm and 9pm, both times with dairy dinner.
4/16: HILLEL STUDENT BOARD ELECTIONS
Thursday night 7:30pm in The Interfaith Center, CC 3rd Floor.
SHABBOS HOUSE LCHAIM STUDENT BOARD ELECTIONS!
Elections will be 4/28 the last Tuesday in April at 7pm (between the 2 Torah-Tuesday sessions). Candidates for the 5 E-Board (elected) positions and the G-Board (non-elected, self-nominated E-Board approved/appointed) positions must BOTH submit this Shabbos House Lchaim 2026-27 Board Application. Applications need to be in by Friday April 24 prior to elections so they can be reviewed and approved by the current E-Board.
THIS SHABBAT 4/17-18 AT SHABBOS HOUSE
Candle-lighting 7:22pm. Prayers 7:20pm, Shabbat Dinner 8pm at Shabbos House. We’ll count the Omer in as many languages as we can!
SHABBAT DAY 4/18
Our minyan-bonus guests are gone, we’re back to our core Minyaneers now. May take a little more mustering to make Minyan. 10:30am Prayers start, hopefully Minyan and Torah reading by 11:15. This Shabbat is also Rosh Chodesh! Shabbat Lunch 12:30pm or so. Light end-of-Shabbat meal (with “Dingaling Hotline”) at 7:15pm. Shabbat ends 8:25pm.
4/19: SUNDAY BRUNCH
11am Prayers, 12pm Brunch. 2nd Sunday Talmud class of “Rabbis of the Omer”. Plus the 2nd of Iyar is a Chabad calendar date, maybe we’ll add something to the Brunch to celebrate.
4/21: GUIDANCE COUNSELORS VISIT
As part of a UAlbany visit, we’re hosting them for a luncheon here at Shabbos House.
4/22: ISRAEL-FEST
Stay tuned for a special Israel event with interactive hands-on activities hosted by UAlbany Hillel. Look for Shabbos House to bring a Kotel replica, mitzvah opportunities and a delicious taste of Israel with meaningful messages.
4/24-25: CHOLENT COOKOFF
Not too early to think about this year’s Cholent (or Chili) Cookoff. Up to 5 contestants/teams prep on Friday April 24 and serve, taste and vote on Shabbos Day 4/25. BUT, we need ingredient lists earlier as it can be challenging to get certain Kosher products. Use this Cholent Cookoff 2026 Form, by Tuesday 4/21 but the earlier you submit the more likely we can get all your desired ingredients.
4/30: ARE YOU AT SHOWCASE?
We’re looking forward to stopping by to see Showcase Presentations from as many students that we know (and those we don’t know, too). Please drop us a message (reply to this email or whatsapp our cells – see signature) if you are presenting and where we can find you! Would love to see and learn about your work!
ARE YOU GRADUATING?
Please let us know! Please save the date for Sunday May 3rd, 5-7pm, for the annual Grad Party, this year before Finals begin. Elegant event, delicious buffet, special presentations. ALL students are very welcome to this annual farewell to the graduates (and transfers) who have enriched our community. Also, graduates, please have your parents fill out this Graduation Weekend 2026 RSVP form, as it can help us figure out which meals etc may be helpful for your family.
Love,
Mendel and Raizy
